Netanyahu, under legal duress, agrees to tap interior minister after year-long vacancy

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to appoint a new interior minister, ending a year-long vacancy, following legal pressure from the High Court of Justice. The Movement for Quality Government in Israel petitioned the court in December after the previous minister, Moshe Arbel, resigned in July 2025. The Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, informed the court that Netanyahu would make an appointment "during the [current] election period," acknowledging that the prolonged vacancy and transfer of powers to the prime minister created significant legal and practical difficulties, particularly concerning elections, immigration, and local government. Tomer Naor, deputy director of the Movement for Quality Government, stated, "The state today clearly acknowledges that the absence of a permanent interior minister creates a real legal and practical difficulty and undermines a long list of essential powers." MK Ofir Katz is reportedly a leading candidate for the role.